Announcing Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker coming to New Orleans at Saenger Theatre on December 26 ~ Tickets On Sale April 10

Announcing Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker coming to New Orleans at Saenger Theatre on December 26 ~ Tickets On Sale April 10

2017 is 25th Anniversary of Moscow Ballet North American Tours to 100+ cities coast to coast

(Berkshires, MA) April 5, 2017 - The one and only Moscow Ballet Great Russian Nutcracker will return to New Orleans on the day after Christmas, Tuesday, December 26, 3:00 pm matinee and 7:00 pm at Saenger Theatre. Tickets go on sale Monday, April 10. All ages are invited to celebrate Christmas with the Moscow Ballet company of almost 40 ballerinas and danseurs on their 25th Anniversary Tour of North America in 2017. Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker is known for its award-winning Principal Dancers, lavish costumes in the style of the Victorian era, many backdrops created by "La La Land' Set Concept designer Carl Sprague, and its Russian focus including life-sized Matryoshka Dolls, Russian folk legends Ded Moroz (Father Christmas) and Snegurochka (Snow Maiden) and Troika Sleigh. Adults and children enjoy the special effects of the flapping winged owl on the Grandfather clock, the growing 50 ft tall Christmas Tree, the Dove of Peace with a 20ft wingspan, and of course, the leaps, spins, and extraordinary moves of the company all performed to Tchaikovsky's complete and incomparable score.

For twenty-five years Moscow Ballet has been consistently embraced by audiences and the press on their North American tours. "The Russians remain the principal keepers of the classical ballet tradition." Eric Harrison, Arkansas Democrat Gazette, 2016. The Principal Dancers receive accolades, "Danced exquisitely by...Ekaterina Bortiakova, her technical prowess, especially in her footwork and turns, coupled with an endearing smile and girlish innocence, was...truly great," from Cleveland Plain Dealer 2014. Canada's Stephan Bonfield, with the Calgary Herald, writes, "Great Russian Nutcracker ...resplendently detailed, colourful production...technically supreme dancing, dazzling moments, authentically opulent and beautifully detailed costumes." The New York Times Chief Dance Critic Alastair Macaulay, 2010, sums it up, "The Russian ballet style is expansive... elegantly generous, and so the experience is never meager."

Tickets start at $28.00. Platinum Experience tickets feature artist Meet N Greet and branded gift items; Gold Circle Gift Packages include branded gift items. Groups of ten or more and Girl Scout troops receive discounts by calling 800.320.1733. Discounts for Seniors 65+, Active and Inactive Armed Services, and Motorclub members are available from www.nutcracker.com/buy-tickets . Single tickets in New Orleans are available April 10 at www.nutcracker.com/buy-tickets or call Ticketmaster 800.745.3000.

Moscow Ballet - 2017 marks Moscow Ballet's 25th consecutive year touring North America performing the acclaimed story ballets the Great Russian Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Romeo and Juliet, Cinderella and more. The company is known for presenting award-winning Ballerinas and Danseurs, from Lilia Sabitova in 1994 to Honored Artist of Russia Tatiana Predenia in 2002 to Andrey Batalov, former Principal Danseur with the Mariinsky Theatre in 2016. The company performs more than 100 engagements annually across Canada and the United States' to sell-out audiences in the some of the finest performing arts venues. In addition to public performances, Moscow Ballet's North America tours have always included community engagement programs. "Dance with Us" shares the Russian Vaganova ballet training with over 6000 American dance students annually bringing them on stage in ancillary roles to perform side-by-side with the professionals. Underwritten by Moscow Ballet, the program was developed by choreographer and co-producer Mary Giannone Talmi. "New Horizons - A Children's Program for Life" is a cultural immersion program benefitting thousands of children across the country annually and Musical Wunderkind also connects the Russian dancers directly with American children and young adults. In addition, many Moscow Ballet performances have a fund-raising component for organizations such as hospitals, children's museums and more. www.moscowballet.com.

###

Talmi Entertainment - is the exclusive representation for Moscow Ballet's North American Tours which occur annually in more than 100 cities, from NYC to LA, and Miami to Calgary. Under Talmi Entertainment management Moscow Ballet delivers unparalleled Russian artistry in the classic story ballets Great Russian Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Swan Lake and more. Talmi Entertainment was founded by award-winning Juilliard School alumnus, composer, conductor and producer, Akiva Talmi. www.talmientertainment.com